The first semi-final of the Suva Rugby Union Escott Shield is set to feature a showdown between Army Green and Fresh’et Navy this Saturday. In another semi-final clash, the Eastern Saints, led by Seremaia Bai, will face off against SCB Police.
SRU secretary Nemani Tuifagalele confirmed the matchups, stating that the venue for the two games will be determined soon. Oceania has reserved Buckhurst and Bidesi Park, but the Laucala grounds are not available.
“We have secured the USP grounds, but we are working to select the best venue for the semi-finals,” Tuifagalele explained. “Currently, it will likely be either at the USP grounds or Suva Grammar grounds.”
He expressed excitement about the upcoming matches, urging fans to attend what is expected to be an exhilarating semi-final. “This season has been highly competitive, making it hard to predict an outcome since all four teams are strong contenders.”
SCB Police, the reigning champions, narrowly defeated Lomaiviti in their quarter-final last week, with key players like veteran Number 8 James Brown and Paris Olympics silver medallist Terio Tamani leading the team.
“Police is a formidable opponent and has a rich history with the Escott Shield, having won it multiple times,” Tuifagalele commented, noting their recent victory over Fresh’et Navy in last year’s final.
He praised Lomaiviti for their impressive performance in the quarter-finals and highlighted the increasing intensity and quality of the competition over the past few years, attributing this growth to dedicated grassroots development efforts.